Improvement in fifth-wheel for carriages



C. ST. JAM ES.

Fifth Wheel.

Patented N69. 16, 1869.

NFEIERS, RHQIO-LIYHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C.

aunt Qtiljlirr.

CLEMENT ST. JAMES, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No. 96,846, dated November 16, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIFTH-WHEEL FOR CARRIAG-ES.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLEMENT ST. J Amos, of Pittsfield, in the county of Berkshire, and State of Massa chusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Circle or Fifth-Wheel for Vehicles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled inthe art to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a top view of a circle or fifth-wheel of a vehicle to which my improvement has been attached, part being broken away to show the construction.

Figure 2 is avertical longitudinal section of the same, taken through the line a; :c, fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section of the same, taken through the line y y, fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has for its object to furnish an improvement in the construction of the circle or fifthwhccl of vehicles, so as to avoid the use of a king-bolt, and which at the same time shall be so constructed as to allow the wear to be conveniently taken up to keep the parts always close and firm; and

It consists in the construction and combination 'of various parts, as hereinafter more fully described.

A represents the forward axle; B, the forward hounds; O, the forward bolster; and D, the reach; about the construction of which parts there is uoth ing new.

E is the circle or fifth-wheel, which is secured to the ends of tho bolster O by bolts passing through the said circle E, into which theboltheads are countersunk, and through the said bolster.

The ends of the bolster maybe strengthened by notched plates, slips, or hands F, placed upon them, as shown in fig. 3.

.c are leather or equivalent washers or packing, placed between the circle E and the ends of the bolster, which, as the parts wear away, may be replaced by thicker ones, to take up the wear, and keep the circle E close down to its bed.

The circle E is made with an offset upon its opposite sides, as shown in figs. 1 and 3, to enable the filstenings by which the said circle is secured to the bolster (l to pass the front stationary semicircle, the forward half of the circle E being thus of a less diameter than the rear half.

G is the rear half circle or bed upon which the cir cle E slides, and the ends of which are securely bolted to the axle A. p

The ends of the semicircle (lare made with an offset, and with inwardly-proiecting lugs 9 extending out upon the inner side of the smaller part of the circle E, as shown in figs. 1, 2, and 3.

H is the forward stationary half circle, which rests upon the upper side of the forward or smaller part of the circle E, and upon the inner side of the ends of which are formed lugs h, in such positions as to be directly over the lugs gof the half circle G.

The lugs g and h are connected to each other by bolts passing through them, as shown in figs. 1, 2, and 3, and are so formed that a space may be left between them, which space is taken up by leather or other suitable washers :or packing, I, placed between them, as shown in 2 and 3, so that, as the parts wear, the wear may be compensated by replacing the washers I with thinner ones.

The forward or middle part of the half circle H is supported by an arm or bracket, J, attached to or formed upon it, and the lower end of which is secured to the forward hounds B.

K is a hook which passes beneath the forward part of the circle E, and the stem or shank of which passes through the base or upper part of the bracket J, where it is adjustably secured by a nut, as shown in fig. 2.

The forward part of the circle E maybe still further steadied by an armor bracket, L, attached to or formed upon the said circle, and the upper end of which is attached to a stay of the vehicle-body or some other convenient support. 7

The lugs g h may be variously arranged, but should be always so constructed as to allow the wear to be taken up or compensated by their adjustment.

To the upper side of the middle part of the under side of the bolster (J is secured a socket, M, into which enters'a pivot, N, attached to the upper side of the middle part of the axle A, to form the pivot upon which the axle turns, the entire strain being borne by the circles E G H and their attachments.

It is designed to attach a brass bearing, ferrule, or

ring-to the pivot N by a rivet or other convenient means, so that when worn it may be removed and replaced with a new one.

Having thus described my invention,

I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The circle E, made with offsets at its sides, so that one of its parts may he the arc of a smaller cir- 'cle than the other, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose setforth.

2-. Connecting the upper and lower half circles G H with each other adjustably, by means of the lugs g h, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth. I

3. The stay-arm or bracket L,fo r connecting the forward. part of the circle E with the wagon-body, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth. i

4. The combination of the socket M and pivot N with the bolster O, axle A, circle E, and half circles G H, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

Witnesses: CLEMENT ST. JAMES.

Guoncu GAY, Jonx Onosuy, Jr. 

